Avoch and Killen in a pictorial tour ⋆ Ross and Cromarty Heritage

Avoch and Killen Introduction

Attribution: unknown or not recorded

The Avoch and Killen community is located on the Black Isle. So, Avoch is a small fishing village while on the other hand Killen is mainly agricultural. This means in the past most of the folk in Avoch and Killen have been employed in agriculture or fishing. However, in the past the village has also been involved in ship building and transporting goods by ship.

A Pictorial Tour of Avoch and Killen

Why not join in a pictorial tour of Avoch through the ages? You will meet some of the people who used to live here. For example this is one of the photos on the tour and shows Sandy and Maggie Skinner working outside their house in Geddieston. So, not all the work of a fisherman takes place at sea.

Attribution: unknown

Attribution: unknown

"Scaffies" in Avoch harbour.

A common sight on the beach was “Scaffies” drawn up on the beach as we can see in this pre-WW1 photograph. After that, if we look westward we can see Henrietta Street. However, two of today’s features are missing: there is no Ormonde Street houses or the industrial estate. Finally, the site of Ormonde Castle is still well wooded.

Margaret street after a Snowfall

Donald’s shadow can be seen here as he stood with his back to the Firth photographing the bottom of Margaret Street. On the left is a shop which was owned by Robert Jack who sold groceries. It later became an electrical shop. Next to it is a shed which was a shoemaker’s shop.

Attribution: unknown

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Avoch » Avoch Environment » Avoch Fauna

Blackbird

Found all over Britain this bird is seen in most local gardens and is heard in springtime early in the morning and late at night. Another characteristic of it, is its kamikazi flights from one side of the road to another in front of cars.

Blue Tit

The most common of the Tit family, these birds are great acrobats and can be seen hanging upside down from branches or bird feeders in their quest for food.

Chaffinch

By far the most common finch, this bird frequents most gardens as well as woodland areas. It is resident throughout the year and has a wide variety of calls and songs. The pictured bird is a male. His mate is duller with a browny - yellow plumage.

Collared Dove (Photo M and D Galloway)

It is difficult to believe that this bird only arrived in Britain in the 1950s as it is now successfully established in every corner of these islands. It can be seen on farmland and also on the shore and in gardens.

Cormorant (Photo M and D Galloway)

This bird is most often seen flying low over the water or on a rock or buoy drying its wings. It is distinguishable from the Shag by its white throat and cheekband and the lack of a crest.

View from Henrietta Street of an Autumnal Sunrise with Corvids in Flight.

Killen and the north side of Avoch are well used to the sight and sound of Carrion and Hooded Crows whereas Jackdaws and Rooks frequent the shoreline. During Spring and Autumn the sky can be black with them as they gather for their flights from or to their roosting places.

Ducks under the Henrietta Bridge

Dunlin

This small wader can be seen in huge flocks in other parts of the country but a few are seen in Avoch from time to time.

Great Tit [Photo M and D Galloway]

Larger than the more commonly seen Blue Tit, the Great Tit is often dominant at a bird table. The male is easily distinguishable from the female by a continuous black line down its yellow front - hers being broken.

Mallard

By far the most common species in the area, these birds are usually to be found in the area of the Henrietta Bridge where locals and visitors often feed them. During the spring, however, they nest in various gardens and it is not an uncommon sight for cars to be brought to a standstill so that a female and line of ducklings can walk across the road. The larger duck in the background (known affectionately to some as "Ugly" is a hybrid.

Mute Swan with cygnet brood

A pair of Mute Swans frequent the burn in Avoch and steadfastly protect their domain from any visiting swans. Each year they build a nest and lay eggs. The picture shows part of a brood of eight cygnets.

Pied Wagtail [Photo M and D Galloway]

Equally at home on bowling green, shore or garden this smart member of the wagtail family can be seen bobbing along at most times of the year although these birds have a tendency to migrate South in the severe weather.

Red Kite

This is probably the best loved of the many birds that can regularly be seen in the village. Until just over 10 years ago this species could only be seen in a remote area of Central Wales - having been hunted to extinction elsewhere. A few birds from Sweden were released at two secret locations on the Black Isle and are breeding well now. In 2014 the breeding programme received a serious setback when a considerable number of red kites, and some buzzards, were found to be poisoned in the Black Isle area. The culprit has never been identified.

Redshank [Photo M and D Galloway]

Seen in good numbers on the shoreline, these waders have longish beaks of the same red as their legs with which they probe for food such as cockles.

Robin

The familiar gardener's companion shows a different side to its nature during breeding times when it becomes very territorial and will attack almost anything red in colour.

Shelduck

Despite its name this is not a duck. A few may be seen at the Burn mouth from time to time but large numbers are common in Munlochy Bay. They nest in holes in banks.

Song Thrush

This beautiful songster is, sadly, less common than it used to be. Its near relative the Mistle Thrush is more likely to be seen on farmland than in gardens. In winter Redwing and Fieldfare can flock together.

Starlings [Photo M and D Galloway]

These birds are not very common in the area. They are well known for their mimicry skills and can not only make other bird noises but also mechanical sounds such as burglar alarms and mobile 'phone calls.

Swallows. [Photo M and D Galloway]

Summer visitors, together with House Martins, these birds are to be found in the Burn area swooping over the water for insects. In the autumn they gather in large numbers on telephone wires before making their intrepid journey to Africa.

Wheatear

Not likely to be seen in the village, the Wheatear is a summer visitor and could be seen in the Killen area.

Willow Warbler. [Photo M and D Galloway]

This bird, with its distinctive song, likes to perch on the tops of bushes.

Yellow Hammer. [Photo M and D Galloway]

The male is bright yellow in colour, the female less so. It is often heard before being seen with its "little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese" call.

Bottle nosed dolphin.

As Avoch lies in a bay, it is not as easy to see these beautiful mammals as it is at Chanonry Point or North Kessock but the best chance of doing so is to have binoculars at the ready when the Dolphin boats are seen slowing down near the fish farm.

Avoch and Killen Introduction

A Pictorial Tour of Avoch and Killen

"Scaffies" in Avoch harbour.

Margaret street after a Snowfall

Click on photo album to view thumbnails and then click thumbnail to see the full size images

The Secretary, Ross and Cromarty Heritage Society, Tigh na Cadalach, Hawthorn Road, Muir of Ord. IV6 7RL.

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